Emily Wilding Davison (1872-1913)

Posted on 19/07/2012

Emily Wilding Davison

English, 1893 Royal Holloway College

Emily Wilding Davison was renowned for her leading role in the Suffragette movement and was imprisoned on numerous occasions in the name of the women's movement. She joined the Women's Social and Political Union in 1906 and quickly, like her fellow members, began a short history of extreme protest, including attacking the Chancellor of the Exchequer, hunger striking, and throwing herself down iron stairs. It has been argued that the harsh treatment she received whilst in prison drove her to the conclusion that only ultimate sacrifice would bring success to the Suffragettes. Her most notable action resulted in her death, when she jumped in front of King George V's horse during the 1913 Epsom Derby.